Nebraska License Plates
Nebraska first issued license plates in 1915. There were issues of Nebraska license plates as early as 1903 and these were made of metal numbers on leather backing. All Nebraska license plates, with the exception of 1962 and 1982 were dated by embossing/stamping the year or with decals in later years. From 1915 through 1933, the initials NEB and the year were embossed/stamped on each license plate. In 1934, the entire name NEBRASKA was embossed/stamped on the plates.
Beginning in 1956, Nebraska embossed/stamped its first license plate slogan THE BEEF STATE and this slogan continued to 1965. In 1966, the word CENTENNIAL was embossed/stamped on the top of Nebraska’s license plates and this slogan was used through 1969. The slogan CORNHUSKER STATE was embossed/stamped on the 1969 Nebraska license plate and was used through 1975. In 1976, 1776-BICENTENNIAL-1976 was screened on the Nebraska license plate and was used through 1984.
The 1940 and 1941 Nebraska license plates were embossed/stamped with a likeness of the state’s capitol building in Lincoln. Between 1966 and 1975, the outline of the state was embossed/stamped on the right border area of the Nebraska license plate. The 1976 Nebraska bi-centennial license plate was the first screen printed license plate in the state with a covered wagon on the upper left and the head of an Indian in full headdress at upper right.
Nebraska introduced retro-reflective white foil on its license plates in 1966 and has continued to use retro-reflective foils ever since. The state has many dedicated car collectors, including the wealthiest man in the world, Warren Buffett.